This parkway has existed for over 10,000 years. You can bike or drive it.

I pulled off the highway on the outskirts of Nashville, Tennessee, onto a curving onramp to the Natchez Trace Parkway. As I drove on a January afternoon, I was enveloped by trees on either side and the traffic emptied out.

When I stopped at a parking area on the side of the road, I was struck by the stillness around me, the hum of cars replaced by quiet (save the occasional bird) – and I'd just barely entered the long, scenic roadway.

The Natchez Trace Parkway measures 444 miles and passes through three states, roughly following the historic Old Natchez Trace travel corridor, according to the National Park Service – and it's as much a nature destination as a historic site. Here's why.

Location 

Across Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee

Why it matters 

The Old Natchez Trace has been in use for over 10,000 years, including by Native Americans for travel and trading goods. When they “were forced to leave their homelands, some may have traveled along the Old Trace before finally heading west along the Trail of Tears,” NPS said on its website.

The corridor was also traversed by boatmen sailing the Mississippi River; enslaved people; soldiers; traveling preachers and more.

What to see today

The parkway takes over 11 hours to drive (it’s also a designated bicycle route). Along the way, visitors can hike, camp, birdwatch, fish and attend events such as dulcimer performances and traditional craft demonstrations. “Don't forget, the ‘thing to do’ along the Natchez Trace Parkway might be to relax and let your inner explorer take you to places that you may not have otherwise visited,” NPS noted.

Ask a local

Leiper’s Fork is a quaint, walkable Tennessee village about 10 minutes from the parkway by car, where travelers can shop, eat and unwind. Grab a bite at The Country Boy restaurant, browse artwork at Leiper’s Creek Gallery, take a tour at Leiper’s Fork Distillery and more.

Plan your visit 

• Best time: The parkway is accessible all year, but consider weather conditions: Summers in Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee tend to be hot – with average highs in the 90s – while winters are milder. Colorful leaves can be seen in the fall, too.
• Hours/admission: The parkway is free and open 24 hours a day (though visitor center hours vary).
• Getting there: The parkway is accessible from more than 50 roads across the three states. Travelers can find an interactive map on the NPS website.
• Learn more: https://www.nps.gov/natr/index.htm

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].